Shipman widow will give evidence

A special hearing held today decided that the wife of serial killer GP Harold Shipman, Primrose, should give evidence at the inquiry into her husband's crimes.

Primrose Shipman has so far only made a general statement to the Shipman Inquiry, which is being held at Manchester Town Hall, and refuses to be speak publicly in any more detail.

The inquiry, which has the power of subpoena and is being headed by Dame Janet Smith, held a special hearing to decide whether to call Mrs Shipman to testify after it heard she was present at the death of one of her husband's possible victims.

Mrs Shipman, 54, said she had valid legal objections allowing her not to speak in detail about what happened in the cases of any of her husband's possible victims.

The mother of four now lives near York, closer to Frankland Prison in Co Durham where her husband is serving 15 life sentences for the murders of 15 women in Hyde, Greater Manchester, where he had a surgery.